Federal govt urged to constitute Minorities Rights Commission in compliance with Supreme Court 2014 Judgment

NewsFederal govt urged to constitute Minorities Rights Commission in compliance with Supreme...

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and the Peoples Commission for Minorities’ Rights (PCMR) on Tuesday organized a consultative meeting in Rawalpindi, which ended with a demand to the government for the establishment of a National Commission for Minorities’ Rights in compliance with a Supreme Court Judgement on Minorities Right delivered on June 19, 2014.

The Special Advisor to Shoaib Suddle Commission Mr. Peter Jacob, the Member PCMR & Researcher Dr. A. H. Nayyar, and the Researcher & Activist Ms. Tahira Abdullah took part in the panel discussion.

Federal govt urged to constitute Minorities Rights Commission in compliance with Supreme Court 2014 Judgment
From left to right: Mr. Peter Jacob, Dr. A. H. Nayyar & Ms. Tahira Abdullah

The discussion reviewed a draft bill seeking support of stakeholders for establishing an independent statutory body – the National Commission for Minorities’ Rights.

The panelists also discussed practical strategies to assist stakeholders for meaningful and effective engagement with Shoaib Suddle Commission, an Implementation Commission mandated by the Supreme Court to follow up on the Court Ruling (SMC No. 1 of 2014) passed by then Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on June 19, 2014.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Peter Jacob underlined the fact that establishing a National Commission for Minorities’ Rights was a task long overdue.

Mr. Peter Jacob said that the Liaquat-Nehro Pact signed in 1950, the National Action Plan (NAP) for Human Rights 2016 as well as the Supreme Court 2014 Ruling, all required an official minority-specific Commission to be constituted.

The Special Advisor to Shoaib Suddle Commission further stated that during 2018 general elections, political parties promised to establish such a Commission, and therefore, they should now introduce and support the legislation to this effect and establish a Minorities’ Rights Commission in accordance with the 6 UN Paris principles having a broad mandate to monitor & evaluate the quality of implementation of laws and policies, contribute to law and policy-making process, as well as conduct inquiry & investigation into complaints of violation of minority rights.

Ms. Tahira Abdullah stated that discrimination perpetuates across the economic, social, political and cultural spheres, and the government should address disparity of rights and opportunities by implementing the Supreme Court Ruling in letter and spirit.

Ms. Tahir Abdullah further stated that to this end, the government must introduce effective affirmative measures for the empowerment of minorities, and in doing so, strengthen democracy, promote human rights and rule of law, and foster religious tolerance in Pakistan.

Dr. A.H Nayyar observed that the education policies failed to give due regard to the promise of fundamental rights to religious freedom, non-discrimination and equality as enshrined in Articles 20, 22 and 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He also noted that the National Education Policy Framework 2018 does not make elimination of religious discrimination and intolerance a priority.

Dr. A.H Nayyar urged the government to introduce education system reforms in a manner that values of religious diversity and pluralism are acknowledged and celebrated in Pakistani society.

Mati
Mati
Mati-Ullah is the Online Editor For DND. He is the real man to handle the team around the Country and get news from them and provide to you instantly.

Must read

Recent News

PM Sharif in Cop29 and Lahore at death bed in Mayo Hospital

PM Shehbaz Sharif in Cop29 Baku and Lahore in ICU in Mayo Hospital

0
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku discussed setting up an internationally-determined contributions (IDC) framework to redefine the global climate funding mechanisms.Addressing a roundtable discussion...
Banking scams, Cybersecurity and the usage of VPN in Pakistan

Banking scams, Cybersecurity and the usage of VPN in Pakistan

0
DND ReportHave you already been a victim of data theft from your cell phone? Have you already lost your hard-earned money from your bank...
There is no harm to change strategy in Balochistan to bring the peace

There is no harm in changing strategy in Balochistan to bring peace

0
DND ReportThere is no doubt left that Quetta Railway Station's suicide bombing targeted personnel of security forces who were leaving Quetta for their homes....

Fight against terrorism requires support of all Pakistanis, believes COAS Gen Asim Munir

0
Quetta, Pakistan:  COAS Gen Asim Munir has said that the fight against terrorism requires the support of all Pakistanis.COAS highlighted that terrorism will never...
The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI

The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Another targeted suicide bombing in Quetta (Railway Station) has confirmed again that enemies are not sitting idle and they do not miss...
Advertisement